Calvin Roy Washington

A 30-year-old St. Paul man received the longest sentence ever imposed on anyone found guilty of sex-trafficking in Minnesota history. Otis Deno Washington was found guilty of first- and second-degree solicitation to practice prostitution (one involving a minor), two counts of promotion of prostitution, and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

Four family members have now been convicted for participating in a sex trafficking ring that last about two years, extended to multiple Minnesota communities and victimized many vulnerable women. On Wednesday, the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office announced that 30-year-old Otis Deno Washington, of St. Paul, was found guilty in Ramsey County District Court on multiple sex trafficking counts. According to a press release, they are: two counts of promotion of prostitution; two counts of solicitation, one involving a minor; and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

After five days of deliberation, a jury could not come to a unanimous decision in the case of a St. Paul sex trafficking ring that targeted vulnerable teenage girls, according to the Ramsey County Attorney. A trial date has now been set for early September, according to the attorney, in the case that prosecutes two brothers and their two uncles for sex trafficking at least 10 known victims.